Point-of-use water treatment system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a point-of-use water treatment system unit. The unit includes a filter housing assembly having a filter tank assembly and a closure which utilizes a handle and cammed reciprocating lock blades to secure the closure to the filter tank assembly. A UV tank assembly includes a planar baffle plate and a vaned baffle plate to induce plug flow about a UV lamp assembly. A UV lamp assembly is used which simultaneously electrically and sealingly mounts to a UV tank assembly and electrical cap assembly using a bayonet mount. A bi-planar manifold assembly is used to interconnect components of the WTS unit and to provide an envelope for accommodating a water pipe assembly. The bi-planar manifold assembly enhances the compactness of the design of the WTS unit. Also, a support plate is disclosed which provides support to subcomponents of the WTS unit while also dissipating heat from a UV tank assembly.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

“This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/744,844, filed Jan.30, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,930), which is the National Stage ofInternational PCT Application No. PCT/US99/17374, filed Jul. 30, 1999,which was published in English under PCT Article 21(2), which claimsbenefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/094,918, filed Jul. 31,1998, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/299,053, filed Apr. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,229.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to point-of-use water treatment system(WTS) units for above or below countertop use in homes or offices forthe purposes of removing contaminants from water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention minimizes or overcomes several problems associatedwith previous point-of-use home or office water treatment system (WTS)units. These WTS units are often connected to a faucet using a faucetdiverter valve assembly. Water can be supplied directly from the faucet,or using the faucet diverter valve assembly, can be routed through a WTSunit for removal of contaminants prior to being dispensed from a faucet.The WTS units often include a carbon block filter to removeparticulates, an ultraviolet (UV) bulb for destroying microorganismsfound in water, and a flow meter to monitor the quantity of watertreated over a specified period of time.

A first problem many WTS units encounter is that filter closures can bedifficult to remove from or install on WTS unit filter housings. This isparticularly true of closures that rely upon threaded connections. Theclosures combine with the filter housings to form closed pressurevessels in which filters are stored. The diameters of filters areideally as large as possible to increase the capacity and lifeexpectancy of the filters. Similarly, the diameter of filter housingsmust be large to accommodate the filters. Conventional threadedconnections between the filter closures and filter housings, which areboth usually made of plastic, often “weld” together. This phenomenon isknown as galling. The “welding” action is partially attributable to thelong period of time between filter changes and also to the wet and warmenvironment in which WTS units operate.

WTS units often include a UV (ultraviolet) bulb for destroyingmicroorganisms in the water to be treated. These UV bulbs typicallyoperate continuously. After water has not been run through a WITS unitfor a significant period of time, such as overnight, heat from the UVbulb and other electrical circuitry can cause heat to build up insideand elevate the temperature of water stored within the WTS unit. Theresulting increased temperature contributes to plastic creep and the“welding” together of the threads on the filter closure and filterhousing. Because of the large area of contact between the threads,considerable force may be required to break the “weld” on the threadsand release the closure from the filter housing.

Alternatively, some WTS units use bayonet mounted filter closures. Aproblem with this type of mount is that a filter closure must beaccurately aligned with a housing to effect mounting of the filterclosure to the filter housing. Also, even with a bayonet mount, there isstill significant joint contact area between the filter closure and thefilter housing. Again, significant force may be required to break thefilter closure free from the filter housing after a long period ofattachment.

A second problem associated with WTS units having UV bulbs is the buildup of heat within the WTS units. Adverse consequences related toelevated temperature include structural degradation of plasticcomponents over time due to creep, discoloration of plastic components,and decreased reliability of electrical circuitry. Also, the temperatureof water stored overnight within a WTS unit can become uncomfortablywarm to the touch when discharged from the WTS unit. Therefore, it isbeneficial for a WTS unit to be designed to minimize its internal heatbuildup.

Further, most WTS units use plastic molded decorative outer housings toenclose internal components. These plastic outer housings decrease instrength as temperature increases. If the WTS unit is to be wall mountedand must rely solely upon the strength of the outer housing, then theouter housing must be relatively thick, made of high strength plasticand resistant to creep induced by high temperatures and mechanicalloads. Accordingly, expensive specialty plastics may be required inmaking such outer housings.

A third problem associated with WTS units having UV bulbs is that UVbulbs are cumbersome to change. The UV bulbs have a limited lifetime andmust be periodically changed. While the UV light emitted by the bulbs isbeneficial in destroying chemical bonds in microorganisms, henceseverely inhibiting their ability to replicate or reproduce, the UVlight can also be harmful to human eyes. Consequently, the UV bulbs mustbe mounted without UV light exposure to the installer. Often thisrequires numerous steps such as connecting a UV bulb to a power source,closing a housing about the UV bulb to prevent UV light exposure, andthen energizing the UV bulb to insure that the UV bulb will properlyoperate. Ideally, a UV bulb could be easily and quickly installed withthe UV bulb immediately lighting upon installation to show that it isoperating properly while preventing direct exposure of the UV light tothe operator.

A fourth problem common to WTS units having UV light disinfection isthat water flowing through a UV tank assembly may not be uniformlytreated or exposed to UV light. A UV bulb is typically mounted in a UVtank assembly with water passing around the UV bulb. All portions of thewater should receive a predetermined minimal exposure or dosage of UVlight. Depending on how the water is directed through the UV tankassembly, portions of the water flow receive lesser or greater amountsof exposure. That is, portions of water that pass most quickly throughthe UV tank assembly tend to receive less UV light exposure thanportions of water that take a slower path and have a longer residencetime. Ideally, all the water would receive the same predeterminedminimum dosage of UV light to ensure a desired kill or destruction ratewithout unnecessarily overexposing certain portions of the water flow.Without steady or plug flow through the UV tank assembly, this objectivecannot be optimally met. Plug flow refers to a “plug” or mass of watermoving together through the system. Plug flow avoids uneven flow rate ofwater through the system.

Some WTS units utilize water transporting Teflon coils surrounding a UVbulb to achieve a generally uniform flow rate for all water. However,the Teflon coils can deteriorate and/or cloud over. Also, the Tefloncoils can be damaged by heat. Further, water borne contaminants mayreduce the transmissibility of light through the Teflon coils over time.Therefore, the coils must be cleaned or replaced in certain waterconditions.

One example of a UV tank assembly that addresses this problem is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,395. A tank includes a generally cylindrical mainportion and a reduced diameter neck portion. The cylindrical portion hasattached thereto an inlet and a coaxially aligned annular baffle platewith circular openings therein. Water enters the inlet inducingcircumferential water flow and then passes through the openings in thebaffle plate. As a result, water flowing downstream from the annularbaffle plate travels in a generally spiral motion about a UV bulbdisposed within the UV tank assembly. The water then passes to thereduced neck portion before exiting the tank through an outlet fitting.While this UV tank assembly design provides satisfactory flowcharacteristics, the tank is expensive and difficult to manufacture dueto numerous deep drawing operations required to form the tank. Further,there are numerous machining operations which must be performed onstainless steel components which also increases the complexity and costof manufacture.

Another drawback conventional WTS units have is the use of a pluralityof tubes to fluidly interconnect the various components of the WTSunits. Individual tubes are typically used to interconnect inlets,outlets, UV subassemblies and filter subassemblies and flow monitoringdevices. The large number of tubes used makes assembly inconvenient andtime consuming. Further, tubes can become brittle over time and mayeventually have to be replaced. With this complexity of tubes and tubeclamps, replacement of parts is difficult for the average consumer.Also, as the tubes are non-structural members, additional supportingmembers must be used to support components such as flow meters and UVand filter subassemblies apart from support provided by decorativehousings of the WTS units. Moreover, designs utilizing tubes makesoptimization of the compactness of a WTS unit difficult.

The present invention includes designs and features which overcome, orat least minimize, many of the problems identified above which areencountered by previous water treatment system units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a WTS unit which has a unique filterclosure and attachment mechanism that allows the closure to be easilyand quickly secured to and removed from a filter housing. The filterhousing has a filter chamber for receiving a filter. The closurereleasably seals with the housing assembly to form a closed pressurevessel. The attachment mechanism is ideally attached to the closure andutilizes a mechanical advantage, preferably in the form of a pivotinghandle which cams a pair of reciprocating lock blades into and out ofengagement with one or more blade receiving openings on the filterhousing.

The present invention also covers a WTS unit having a UV tank assembly,a UV bulb assembly received within the UV tank, and a heat dissipatingsupport plate juxtaposed the UV tank assembly. This arrangement allowsheat generated by the UV bulb assembly and transferred to the UV tank tobe readily transferable to the support plate and then the atmosphere.Use of the heat dissipating support plate also allows low strengthdecorative outer housing components to be used with the WTS unit as thesupport plate provide structural support to internal components and forwall mounting of the WTS unit.

A point-of-use water treatment system is disclosed having a base, a UVtank assembly, an electrical connector cap assembly and a UV lampassembly. The cap assembly attaches to the UV tank assembly. The UV lampassembly simultaneously mounts to the cap assembly and UV tank assemblyto form a closed pressure vessel and to electrically communicate withthe cap assembly. Ideally, a fluid seal is created between the UV lampassembly and the tank assembly while the UV lamp assembly bayonet mountsto the cap assembly to create electrical communication therebetween.Further, the UV bulb assembly preferably includes a light pipe which isvisible from the exterior of the WTS unit to indicate when the UV lampassembly is operating.

A UV tank assembly is provided which includes a generally cylindricalsleeve and first and second longitudinally spaced apart annular baffleplates. The first baffle plate is ideally planar and has a plurality ofopenings therein. The second baffle plate is preferably vaned. When a UVlamp assembly is placed within the UV tank assembly, water flowing fromthe first baffle plate to the second baffle plate travels in a spiralpath about a UV bulb providing the water generally uniform exposure toUV light. This particular UV tank assembly is relatively simple inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention further includes a WTS unit having a UV subsystem, afilter subsystem, a flow monitor, a base and a bi-planar manifold. Themanifold has first and second halves which are joined together tocooperatively provide conduits which fluidly interconnect the filtersubsystem, the UV subsystem and the flow monitor. The filter subsystemrests upon a first plane of the manifold and the UV subsystem rests upona second elevated plane of the manifold with the flow monitor beingpositioned in an envelope created beneath the second plane of themanifold and the base of the WTS unit. This arrangement allows for acompact design for the WTS unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a WTS unit which hasa filter closure which is easily installed on and removed from a filterhousing even after the filter closure has been mounted to the filterhousing for an extended period of time.

Another object is to provide a filter closure having an attachmentmechanism which utilizes a mechanical advantage such that undue force orstrength is not required by a user to effect removal of the filterclosure.

An additional object is to provide a high thermal conductivity and highstrength support plate to support major components of a WTS unit whileenhancing heat dissipation from the WTS unit.

Yet another object is to provide a WTS unit having a UV lamp assemblywhich allows a UV bulb, in a single quick movement, to be concurrentlyelectrically connected to a power supply while fluidly sealing with a UVtank assembly thereby eliminating exposure of UV light to a WTS unituser. This eliminates the extra step of locating and attaching a wiringharness to complete assembly.

Another object is to provide a UV tank assembly which is inexpensive tomanufacture yet cooperates with a UV bulb to allow generally uniformflow and UV light exposure to water passing by the UV bulb.

Still a further object is to provide a WTS unit having a bi-planarmanifold assembly which interconnects with the major components of theWTS unit to provide simple yet reliable fluid connections therebetween.The manifold assembly provides structural support to other subcomponentsand partially defines an envelope for placing a flow meter and monitorassembly.

Another object is to provide a WTS unit having a UV bulb assembly with alight pipe thereon, the light pipe being replaceable with the UV bulbassembly and extending through an opening in the outer housing of theWTS unit to indicate when a UV bulb is operating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, objects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become readily apparent from the following description,pending claims, and accompanying sheets of drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a WTS unit, made in accordance with thepresent invention, connected to a faucet using a faucet diverter valveassembly;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the WTS unit;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of major subcomponents of the WTSunit;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary skeletal perspective view of the WTS unit;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a filter housing assembly and filter blockassembly;

FIGS. 6A-C are fragmentary perspective views showing a filter blockassembly being removed from the WTS unit;

FIGS. 7A-D are, respectively, an exploded perspective view, a rearelevational view, a bottom plan view and a sectional view taken alongline 7D—7D of FIG. 7C of a filter tank assembly;

FIGS. 8A-D are, respectively, an exploded perspective view, a top planview, a sectional view taken along line 8C—8C of FIG. 8B and a bottomplan view of the filter block assembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a filter capassembly;

FIGS. 10A-D are, respectively, a top plan view, a bottom plan view, asectional view taken along line 10C—10C of FIG. 10A, and a sectionalview taken along line 10D—10D of FIG. 10B;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a UV tank assembly and a heatdissipating support plate;

FIGS. 12A-C are a series of fragmentary perspective views of a UV lampassembly being installed in a WTS unit;

FIGS. 13A-E are, respectively, an elevational view, a top plan view, asectional view taken along line 13C—13C of FIG. 13B, a bottom plan viewand an enlarged fragmentary view from FIG. 13C of the UV lamp assembly;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the UV tank assembly;

FIGS. 15A-D are a top plan view, an elevational view, a rotatedelevational view and a perspective view of a vaned baffle plate utilizedin the UV tank assembly;

FIGS. 16A-D are an exploded perspective view, a perspective view, abottom plan view and an inverted sectional view taken along line 16D—16Dof FIG. 16C of an electrical connector cap assembly;

FIGS. 17A-D are an exploded perspective view, an elevational view, a topplan view and a sectional view of a lamp assembly taken along line17D—17D of FIG. 17C;

FIGS. 18A-B are an enlarged fragmentary view taken from FIG. 17D of theUV lamp assembly and a corresponding view from an alternative embodimentfor a UV lamp assembly;

FIGS. 19A-F are an exploded perspective view, an elevational view, abottom plan view, a left side view, an upper perspective view, includinga heat dissipating support plate, and a lower perspective view,including the support plate, of a manifold assembly; and

FIGS. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a flow monitor assemblyincluding a water pipe assembly.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a WTS (water treatment system) unit 10 made inaccordance with the present invention. WTS unit 10 uses carbon blockfiltration to filter particles and remove certain chemical contaminantsfrom water. A UV light system is employed to destroy microorganisms. Amonitor is used to report on the status of the filtration and the UVlight systems.

WTS unit 10 includes a front outer housing 12, a rear outer housing 14,and a flow monitor assembly 16 which also serves as the base for the WTSunit 10. Located atop front and rear outer housings 12 and 14 aredecorative bulb and filter covers 18 and 20. A monitor 22 is mounted inflow monitor assembly 16 which will be further described below. A powersupply 24, in the form of a transformer, provides electrical power toWTS unit 10. A finned aluminum support plate 26 extends through anopening in rear outer housing 14 and facilitates the dissipation of heatfrom within WTS unit 10. A faucet diverter valve assembly 28 routeswater to and from WTS unit 10.

Major subcomponents comprising WTS unit 10 are shown in an explodedperspective view in FIG. 3 and in skeletal perspective view in FIG. 4.These subcomponents include front outer housing 12, rear outer housing14, flow monitor assembly 16, support plate 26, a filter subsystem 30, aUV subsystem 32, a water pipe assembly 34 mounted in flow monitorassembly 16, a manifold assembly 40, a PC board 42 and a wall mountingbracket 44. Manifold assembly 40 has an inlet 46 and an outlet 50 whichconnect to hoses 52 of faucet diverter valve assembly 28. Manifoldassembly 40 fluidly interconnects with filter subsystem 30, UV subsystem32 and water pipe assembly 34. An envelope 54, as best seen in FIG. 4,is formed beneath a portion of manifold 40 and above flow monitorassembly 16 to accommodate monitor 22 and water pipe assembly 34.

As a quick overview of the water flow path through WTS unit 10, waterfrom faucet diverter valve assembly 28 is introduced into inlet 46 ofmanifold assembly 40. The water then travels from manifold assembly 40to filter subsystem 30 for carbon block filtration. The filtered wateris then discharged from filter subsystem 30 back to manifold assembly40. Manifold assembly 40 delivers the filtered water to UV subsystem 32for microorganism destruction by exposure to UV light. The filtered anddisinfected water then leaves UV subsystem 32 and passes through waterpipe assembly 34. The water finally returns to manifold assembly 40 andexits manifold outlet 50 and returns back to faucet diverter valveassembly 28.

Filter subsystem 30 is shown in exploded perspective view in FIGS. 3, 5and 6. Components include a filter housing assembly 60, a closure orfilter cap assembly 64 and a filter assembly 66. Filter assembly 66 isretained within filter housing assembly 60. Filter cap assembly 64 has acammed closure and sealingly cooperates with filter housing assembly 60to form a closed pressure vessel in which water is filtered throughfilter assembly 66.

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate the removal of filter assembly 66 from WTS unit10. Decorative filter cover 20 is rotated a quarter turn and is removedby unthreading from filter cap assembly 64. Next, a handle 152 on filtercap assembly 64 is pivoted upwardly causing a pair of reciprocating lockblades 146, 150 (not shown) to release radially inwardly from acircumferentially extending blade receiving groove 98 formed in a sealmating mouth 86 of filter housing assembly 60. Filter cap assembly 64 islifted upwardly breaking a seal between filter cap assembly 64, anelastomeric O-ring 144 mounted on filter cap assembly 64, and sealmating mouth 86 on filter housing assembly 60. Filter assembly 66 isnext lifted from filter housing assembly 60. A new filter assembly 66can then be placed in filter housing assembly 60. Filter cap assembly 64is pressed down into seal mating mouth 86 of filter housing assembly 60reestablishing a seal therebetween utilizing O-ring 144. Filter capassembly 64 is then locked in place by lowering handle 152 to ahorizontal position which extends lock blades 146, 150 into bladereceiving groove 98. Filter cover 20 is then reattached atop filter capassembly 64. Handle 152 provides a significant mechanical advantage inreciprocating lock blades 146, 150 into and out of engagement with bladereceiving groove 98, as will be described in greater detail below.

The individual components of filter subsystem 30 will now be described.Referring to FIGS. 7A-D, filter housing assembly 60 is shown. Filterhousing assembly 60 includes a filter housing 70 and a pair ofcooperating split rings 72 a and 72 b. Filter housing 70 has molded onits backside four threaded bosses 74. Supporting ribs 76 and 78 extendbetween and provide support to bosses 74. Filter housing 70 includes alower domed end 80 having inlet and outlet conduits 82 and 84 formedtherein. A pair of threaded bosses 83 are formed on the bottom of domedend 80 to receive fasteners which secure a portion of manifold assembly40 to filter housing 70. Similarly, a pair of threaded bosses 85 areformed on the side of filter housing 70 to receive fasteners used toattach rear outer housing 14. At the top portion of filter housing 70 isinterior seal mating mouth 86 and a retaining flange 90. Seal matingmouth 86 is sized to sealingly engage with O-ring 144 of filter capassembly 64. Split rings 72 a and 72 b have radially inwardly extendinggrooves 92 a and 92 b. Fasteners 96 clamplingy secure split rings 72 aand 72 b about filter housing 70 with grooves 92 a and 92 b capturingretaining flange 90, as best seen in FIG. 7D. Blade receiving groove 98extends the full circumference of filter assembly 66 and is formedbetween flange 90 and corresponding radially interior steps 99 a and 99b formed in split rings 72 a and 72 b.

FIG. 8A shows an exploded view of filter assembly 66. A carbon filterblock 100 is held between a filter bottom cap 102 and a filter top cap104. Block filter 100 is annular and has inner and outer wraps 106 and108, as best seen in FIG. 8C. Filter top cap 104 includes an end plate110 with a post 112 and oval shaped grip disk 114. Oval shaped grip disk114 allows filter assembly 66 to be easily grasped and pulled fromfilter housing assembly 60. Bottom cap 102 has an end plate 116, acentral conduit 118 and two pair of triangular shaped supporting ribs120 and 122 extending therebetween. Ribs 120 have triangular shapedopenings 124 to provide weight reduction. A pair of O-rings 126 areretained in grooves 128 in central conduit 118 of end cap 102. Waterflows radially inwardly from the outside of filter block 100 and exitsthrough central conduit 118 during normal operation of WTS unit 10.Arrows indicate this desired direction of water flow in FIG. 8C. Whenfilter assembly 66 is mounted within filter housing assembly 60, O-rings126 seal between central conduit 118 and outlet conduit 84 (FIG. 7D) offilter housing assembly 60.

FIG. 9 illustrates filter cap assembly 64 in an exploded perspectiveview. Elements comprising filter cap assembly 64 include filter housingcap 142, elastomeric O-ring 144, first and second cam lock blades 146and 150, a handle 152, first and second cam lock retainers 154 and 156,and four fasteners 160. O-ring 144 is held in a groove 145 formed in theouter diameter of filter housing cap 142. Handle 152 and lock blades 146and 150 are movably captured above filter housing cap 142 and below lockretainers 154 and 156 when filter cap assembly 64 is held together byfasteners 160. Handle 152 is retained to rotate between filter housingcap 142 and lock retainers 154 and 156. Handle 152 is attached to lockblades 146 and 150 such that blades 146 and 150 radially extend andretract in a horizontal plane as handle 152 is rotated downward andupward with respect to filter housing cap 142. When lock blades 146 and150 are extended, they are adapted to lock into blade receiving groove98 of filter housing assembly 60, as has been previously explained inregards to FIG. 6B.

Lock blades 146 and 150 are generally planar having respective arcuateengagement portions 162 and 164. Inboard extending pins 166 and 170serve to connect with handle 152.

Handle 152 includes an arcuate grip portion 172, a pair of spaced apartears 174 and 176 and an axle 180 connecting ears 174 and 176. Located onthe outboard side of ears 174 and 176 are C-shaped cam tracks 182, 184and 186, 190. Pins 166 and 170 of lock blades 146 and 150 cooperativelyslide in cam tracks 182, 184, 186 and 190 to cause lock blades 146 and150 to radially extend and retract as handle 152 is pivotally loweredand raised. Referring to FIG. 10C, when handle 152 is in its loweredposition and pins 166 and 170 are disposed at the end of the tracks,pins 166 and 170 are maximally located from the centers of ears 174 and176 as are lock blades 146 and 150. When grip portion 172 of handle 152is raised, ears 174 and 176 rotate with pins 166 and 170 being cammedtoward the center of ears 174 and 176 and adjacent the bight ormid-length portions of cam tracks 182, 184, 186 and 190. Lock blades 146and 150 correspondingly travel radially inwardly into a retractedposition as their pins 166 and 170 move or are cammed radially inwardly.

Referring to FIG. 9, axle 180 of handle 152 is retained to rotate inbearings formed by U-shaped yokes 192 and 194 disposed on the uppersurface of filter housing cap 142 and cooperating U-shaped yokes 196 and200 formed on the underside of cam lock retainers 154 and 156. Diskshaped recesses 202 and 204 are formed in filter housing cap 142 toaccommodate ears 174 and 176. Similarly, slots 206 and 210 are formed incam lock retainers 154 and 156 to facilitate the rotation of gripportion 172. Cam lock retainers 154 and 156 cooperate with the uppersurface of filter housing cap 142 to guide lock blades 146 and 150 inplanar movement between retracted and extended positions. Looking toFIG. 10D, outer and center guide ribs 212 and 214 are located atopfilter housing cap 142 and cooperate with outer and center guide slots216 and 220 formed on the underside of lock blades 146 and 150 to insurelinear motion of lock blades 146 and 150 on filter housing cap 142. Thecamming action of handle 152 with pins 166 and 170 of lock blades 146and 150 allows lock blades 146 and 150 to be easily retracted from bladereceiving groove 98. Again, the problem of interacting threads “welding”together after long periods of non-use in a water treatment system unitis overcome in the present invention by using reciprocating lock blades146 and 150 rather than a threaded connection between filter capassembly 64 and filter housing assembly 60.

The distance from the center of axle 180 to grip portion 172 provides amuch larger moment arm than the radial distance from the center of axle180 to contact points where cam tracks 182, 184, 186 and 190 bear uponpins 166 and 170. Consequently, a user lifting or lowering handle 152enjoys a substantial mechanical advantage in camming lock blades 146 and150 radially inwardly or outwardly. Also, using disk shaped ears 174 and176 with C-shaped cam tracks 182, 184, 186 and 190 allow pins 166 and170 to move in a single horizontal plane even though cam tracks 182,184, 186 and 190 move in a circular path as handle 152 is rotated. Thisallows lock blades 146 and 150 to be generally planar and the filter capassembly 64 to be relatively compact in thickness.

Referring to FIG. 9, cam lock retainers 154 and 156 have respectivetongues 222 and 224 with holes 226 and 230 therein. Similarly,countersunk holes 232, 234, 236 and 240 are formed in cam lock retainers154 and 156. Corresponding threaded bosses 242, 244, 246 and 248 arelocated atop filter housing cap 142. As suggested in FIG. 9 when filtercap assembly 64 is fully assembled, threaded fasteners 160 are installedin countersunk holes 232, 234, 236 and 240 and are retained in threadedbosses 242, 244, 246 and 248. Holes 226 and 234 and holes 230 and 232are coaxially aligned when cam lock retainers 154 and 156 areinterlocked with one another.

In operation, filter cap assembly 64 is placed atop filter housingassembly 60 with handle 152 in an up position and lock blades 146 and150 retracted radially inwardly. This allows lock blades 146 and 150 toretract from engagement with blade receiving groove 98 and to passradially within split rings 72 a and b of filter housing assembly 60. Asfilter cap assembly 64 is lowered and pressed into filter housingassembly 60, O-ring 144 slides into sealing engagement with seal matingmouth 86 of filter housing 70. A watertight seal is thus created betweenfilter housing 70, O-ring 144 and filter housing cap 142. Once filtercap assembly 64 is pressed into filter housing assembly 60 with O-ring144 effecting a seal with filter housing 70, filter cap assembly 64 mustbe locked in place. Handle 152 is rotated downwardly to be flush withfilter housing cap 142 with lock blades 146 and 150 being cammedradially outwardly into engagement within blade retaining groove 98.O-ring 144 is compressively and sealingly captured between filterhousing cap 142 and seal mating mouth 86 to maintain a seal betweenfilter cap assembly 64 and filter housing assembly 60 thereby creating aclosed pressure vessel. A generally single motion is thus effective inplacing filter cap assembly 64 in position with filter housing assembly60 and then lowering handle 152 to lock filter cap assembly 64 in place.The reverse is also true. Upon lifting handle 152, lock blades 146 and150 are retracted and filter cap assembly 64 can be easily removed fromseal mating mouth 86.

PC board 42, as seen in FIG. 3, includes a circuit board 250 upon whichelectronic components and circuitry are mounted. A female plug 252 islocated near the base of circuit board 250 for receiving power from amale pin (not shown) on a connector cord of power supply 24. At the topof circuit board 250 a connector flange 254 which has a pair of C-shapedcontacts 256 disposed on its front side. Another pair of contacts 260are located near the base of circuit board 250 and are used tocommunicate with monitor 22 regarding the status of a UV lamp—i.e., isthe lamp working.

UV subsystem 32 is shown in exploded perspective view in FIG. 11 alongwith aluminum extrusion or support plate 26. Components of subsystem 32include a UV lamp assembly 280, an electrical connector cap assembly290, fasteners 292, bulb cover 18 and a UV tank assembly 300. Capassembly 290 rests atop tank assembly 300 and is secured by fasteners292 to openings 294 formed in support plate 26. Lamp assembly 280 maythen be installed in and removed from the combination of cap assembly290 and tank assembly 300. Lamp assembly 280 fits within andelectrically connects with electrical connector cap assembly 290 whilefluidly sealing with tank assembly 300. Bulb cover 18 has a light pipereceiving aperture 282 centrally disposed therein. Threads 296 areformed on the exterior of cap assembly 290 for releasably retaining bulbcover 18. Support plate 26 is adapted to fit about and carry heat awayfrom tank assembly 300 as well as PC board 42 (not shown in FIG. 11).Lamp assembly 280 must be properly installed in and sealed with tankassembly 300 and cap assembly 290, in a bayonet type installation,before cap assembly 290 can provide electrical power to lamp assembly280. Proper installation prevents UV light from escaping from tankassembly 300 and cap assembly 290. Lamp assembly 280 is installed in capassembly 290 and tank assembly 300 with a simple push and quarter turnof UV lamp assembly 280 into a bayonet mount 295 formed in cap assembly290. This installation simultaneous effects a fluid sealing between lampassembly 280 and tank assembly 300 and electrical connection betweenlamp assembly 280 and cap assembly 290, as suggested in FIGS. 12A-C.

Tank assembly 300 is shown in exploded view in FIG. 11, in combinationwith lamp assembly 280 in FIGS. 13A-E and individually in FIG. 14. Capassembly 290 is not shown in FIGS. 13A-E for ease of viewing. Tankassembly 300 includes a cylindrical stainless steel main sleeve or tank302 having inlet and outlet fittings 304 and 306 attached thereon, aninlet elbow 308, an outlet elbow 310, a bottom closed end plate 312 anda top annular cup-shaped end plate 314. Elbows 308 and 310 are affixedto fittings 304 and 306. Pairs of O-rings 316 are used to create sealsbetween fittings 304 and 306 and elbows 308 and 310. Mounting clips 315are placed into slots on elbows 308 and 310 to secure elbows 308 and 310to manifold 40. A lamp receiving opening 318 is formed in top end plate314. An annular seal surface 320 on end plate 314 is adapted to matewith a corresponding seal on lamp assembly 280 as best seen in FIG. 13E.End plate 314 also has a horizontal UV light block portion 323. A curledend portion 325 helps guide UV lamp assembly 280 during insertion andremoval relative to tank assembly 300. Also, it reduces the chances ofdamage from any sharp stamped edges formed on top end plate 314 duringmanufacture.

Secured within tank 302 are a lower generally planar baffle plate 322and an upper vaned baffle plate 324. Baffle plate 322 is annular and iswelded to the interior of tank 302 using three attachment ears 326, asshown in FIG. 13C, which extend vertically downwardly along the wall oftank 302. Looking to FIG. 14, a diverter plate 330 is welded to baffleplate 322. Diverter plate 330 is positioned in front of fitting 304 toform a wedge shaped entrance chamber 332 and to cause incoming water totravel circumferentially. Diverter 330 also acts as a UV light block forlower elbow 308. A plurality of circular openings 334 are located inlower baffle plate 322 to allow water to travel toward upper baffleplate 324 in a spiral manner, as suggested by the arrows.

Upper baffle plate 324 is shown in FIGS. 13C, 14 and individually inFIGS. 15 A-D. Upper baffle plate 324 has a circular hub 336 and taperedvanes 338. Vanes 338 are preferably angled at an angle alpha of 13°relative to the plane of circular hub 336. However, angles of between 5°and 45° will also induce acceptable circumferential or plug flow. Gaps340 are formed between adjacent vanes 338 to allow water to flowtherebetween. Three upstanding mounting ears 341 are used to securebaffle plate 324 to tank 302 through a welding operation. As taperedvanes 338 are angled upwardly in the direction of water flow,circumferential flow through gaps 340 is enhanced relative to using aplanar baffle plate like first baffle plate 322 which has only generallyplanar openings 334 therein. Using a vaned baffle plate in the bottom oftank 302 has surprisingly shown less effectiveness in creatingcircumferential or plug water flow in tank assembly 300 relative tousing a planar baffle plate 322 which has circular openings 334 therein.For maximum ease of manufacture and optimal creation of circumferentialor plug flow, the combination of planar baffle plate 322 with circularopenings 334 therein and vaned baffle plate 324 has proven to be veryeffective. This circumferential flow substantially eliminates laminarflow which allows different flow rates of water through the tankassembly 300. The enhanced plug flow of the present invention increasesthe minimal, relative to average, contact time of water exposed to UVlight during operation of WTS unit 10. However, it is also within thescope of this invention that two or more of the vaned baffle platescould also be used to create the spiral or plug flow in a tank assembly.

Tank assembly 300 is constructed as follows. Tank 302 is cut to lengthfrom stainless steel tube stock. Openings are then stamped in sleeve ortank 302 to accommodate inlet fitting 304 and outlet fitting 306.Diverter plate 330 is spot welded to baffle plate 322. Baffle plate 322is then plasma welded within tank 302 with diverter plate 330 positionedin front of the lower opening which will receive inlet fitting 304.Next, upper baffle plate 324 is plasma spot welded to tank 302. Inletand outlet fittings 304 and 306 are swaged into engagement with thestamped openings in tank 302 and then plasma welded in place. Inlet andoutlet elbows 308 and 310 are then attached to inlet and outlet fittings304 and 306. Finally, lower end plate 312 and annular upper end plate314 are plasma welded into place. The tank assembly is passivated toprovide surface conditioning. This method of construction avoids the useof deep drawn materials, uses shallow drawn end plates and requires nomachined parts. Thus tank assembly 300 provides a low cost but veryeffective, in terms of plug flow characteristics, UV tank assembly.

Electrical connector cap assembly 290 serves two general purposes.First, cap assembly 290 transfers electrical power from PC board 42 toUV lamp assembly 280. Second, cap assembly 290 uses a bayonet typeconnection to retain UV lamp assembly 280 mechanically in place relativeto tank assembly 300. Cap assembly 290 rests upon tank assembly 300 andutilizing threaded fasteners 292 is attached to support plate 26, assuggested in FIG. 11. When UV lamp assembly 280 is properly held withincap assembly 290 and tank assembly 300, UV lamp assembly 280 isenergized and UV light cannot escape from UV subsystem 32. Further, UVlamp assembly 280 also fluidly seals with tank assembly 300, as shown inFIG. 13E.

Cap assembly 290 is shown in FIGS. 16A-D. Looking to exploded view 16A,components include a plastic molded connector cap 342, a pre-mold 344, alead frame 346 and a pair of clips 350. Lead frame 346 has upper andlower pairs of terminals 348 and 349 at its distal ends. Clips 350 eachinclude curved elongate portions 352, intermediate arched contactportions 354 and end portions 356 and 358. Pre-mold 344 and lead frame346 are captured within molded connector cap 342 during a moldingoperation which produces cap assembly 290, which is shown in itscompleted assembly in perspective view in FIG. 16B.

Connector cap 342 has a generally cylindrical main body 366, a tunnelportion 368 and an extension portion 370 molded about lead frame 346. Abayonet mount 295 is formed atop connection cap 342 to retain UV lampassembly 280. Bayonet mount 295 comprises inwardly rolled flanges 372and 374. Slots 376 and 378 are formed between rolled flanges 372 and374. The inner edges of rolled flanges 372 and 374 taper downwardly asthey extend away from slots 376 and 378 creating ramped surfaces. Flange372 is shown in FIG. 16D tapering downwardly from slot 378. Formed onthe inside of connector cap 342 are retaining clip walls 380, 382 and384, as best seen in FIG. 16C. Curved elongate portions 352 and endportions 362 and 364 of clips 350 are retained by these clip walls 380,382 and 384, as seen in FIG. 16C. Arched contact portions 354 areexposed on the interior of connector cap 342 and are circumferentiallyspaced from slots 376 and 378. Clip walls 380 and 382 serve as stopswhen lamp assembly 270 is bayonet mounted in cap assembly 290. Afterclips 350 are mounted behind walls 380, 382, and 384, terminals 348 oflead frame 346 are electrically connected to the end portions 358 ofclips 350.

Terminals 349 are held in a U-shaped mounting pocket 392 formed inextension 370 of connector cap 342, as best seen in FIG. 16C. Interiorslots 394 are sized in mounting pocket 392 to hold connector flange 254of PC board 42. When mounting pocket 392 is slidably mounted over PCboard 42, terminals 349 contacts are held within C-shaped clips 256 onPC board 42 (see FIG. 3). Outer flanges 396 are formed on mountingpocket 392 and are sized to be received in the upper portion ofcorresponding slots 574 formed in support plate 26 (see FIG. 19F).Tunnel portion 368 is sized to fit over outlet elbow 310 on tankassembly 300.

UV lamp assembly 280 is best seen in FIGS. 17A-D and 18A-B. Lampassembly 280 includes a quartz sleeve 402, a bumper O-ring 404, acompression nut subassembly 406 and a bulb/connector subassembly 410. Asbest seen in FIG. 17A, subassembly 410 has a main molded body 412including a pair of radially extending flanges 414, an annular hub 416,and a knob 420. An annular slot 418 is formed in hub 416 and receivesthe upper open end of quartz sleeve 402. At the lower end of hub 416 isformed an annular wedge portion 419 located adjacent compression nutsubassembly 406. A light pipe 422 is held in a press-fit within anopening in knob 420. As shown, light pipe 422 is exposed to a UV bulb424.

Compression nut subassembly 406 includes a nut 426 with internal threads428 which are threadedly mountable to corresponding external threads 429on hub 416. An annular elastomeric overmolded seal member 430encompasses the lower portion of nut 426. In cross-section, seal member430 is U-shaped having radially inboard and outboard beads 432 and 434.Inner radial seal bead 432 seals with quartz sleeve 402 and hub 416. Ascompression nut assembly 406 is threaded on hub 416, compression nut 426bears upon annular wedge portion 419 creating a fluid tight sealtherebetween. Outer radial bead 434 seals (see FIG. 13E) with sealsurface 320 in the mouth of tank assembly 300 when UV lamp assembly 280is bayonet mounted within cap assembly 290. An elastomeric gasket 408,V-shaped in cross section, is interposed between connector body 412 andbulb 424 to retain bulb 424.

FIG. 18B shows an alternative embodiment for a UV lamp assembly 280′which is similar in design to UV lamp assembly 280 with the exception ofcompression nut 426. Rather than using elastomeric seal member 430having inboard and outboard beads 432 and 434, a seal member 430′ isused in conjunction with discrete O-rings 432′ and 434′. L-shaped stepsare formed in seal member 430′ to hold O-rings 432′ and 434′ in place.

A pair of electrical terminals 436 is disposed within radially extendingslots 438 formed in flanges 414. Terminals 436 are electricallyconnected to UV bulb 424 by way of filaments 446 and 450. Extendingperpendicular to slots 438 are access slots 440 which allow access forfilaments 446 and 450 to be soldered to respective terminals 436.Exposed radial end portions 442 on terminals 436 electrically connectwith the arched contact portions 354 of clips 350 when UV lamp assembly280 is bayonet mounted within cap assembly 290.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-C and FIGS. 16 and 18A, UV lamp assembly 280 isinstalled by removing bulb cover 18 and bayonet mounting UV lampassembly 280 in cap assembly 290. Flanges 414, which carry terminals436, are aligned with slots 376 and 378 in cap assembly 290. UV lampassembly 280 is lowered into cap assembly 290 and tank assembly 300.Outer radial bead 434 of compression nut 406 comes into contact withseal surface 320 of tank assembly 300. Knob 420 is rotated 90° withflanges 414 bearing on the underside of rolled flanges 372 and 374 untilstriking retaining clip walls 380 and 384. At this time, arched contactportions 354 of clips 350 of cap assembly 290 are in electricalcommunication with radial end portions 442 on terminals 436 on UV lampassembly 280 thus energizing UV bulb 444. In turn, light pipe 422 is litindicating to a user that UV lamp assembly 280 is properly installed andoperating. Concurrently, UV lamp assembly 280 is locked in place by thebayonet mount 295 while sealing with seal surface 320 of tank assembly300. Bulb cover 18 may then be mounted on the outside of cap assembly290. Light pipe 422 extends through aperture 282 in bulb cover 18.Because light pipe 422 is part of the replacement UV lamp assembly 280,light pipe 422 is thus replaced with every change of UV lamp assembly280. Discoloration of light pipe 422 due to exposure of high energy UVlight is thus of only minor concern in this design of WTS unit 10.

Manifold assembly 40 is shown in FIGS. 19A-F. Manifold assembly 40 iscomprised of a bottom manifold half 500 and a top manifold half 502which includes a manifold pipe 504. Bottom and top manifold halves 500and 502 are joined together to form a series of three conduitstherebetween, which along with manifold pipe 504, place the variousmajor subcomponents of WTS unit 10 in fluid communication with oneanother. These conduits include a manifold inlet conduit 506, a manifoldoutlet conduit 510 and a UV subsystem conduit 512. Inlet conduit 506connects between faucet diverter valve assembly 28 and filter subsystem30. UV subsystem conduit 512 connects the outlet of filter subsystem 30with the inlet to UV subsystem 32. Manifold pipe 504 connects the outletof UV subsystem 32 to water pipe assembly 34. Outlet conduit 506 returnswater from water pipe assembly 34 to faucet diverter valve assembly 28.

Manifold inlet conduit 506 connects an inlet collet assembly 514 to amanifold nipple 516. Nipple 516 connects with inlet conduit 82 on filterassembly 66. As seen in FIG. 3, a duckbill valve assembly 518 isprovided to connect between outlet conduit 84 of filter assembly 66 anda manifold nipple 520 of subsystem conduit 512. Duckbill valve assembly518 prevents the backflow of water from UV lamp assembly 280 to filterassembly 66. UV subsystem conduit 512 extends between nipple 520 andmanifold nipple 522. Nipple 522 attaches to inlet elbow 308 of UV tankassembly 300. A similar nipple 524 is formed on the upper free end ofmanifold pipe 504 which connects to outlet elbow 310. On the undersideof manifold assembly 40 and at the other end of manifold pipe 504 isformed a nipple 528. Nipple 528 secures to an inlet on water pipeassembly 34. The outlet from water pipe assembly 34 is connected to awater pipe outlet nipple 530 on manifold 40. Nipple 530 serves as theinlet to outlet conduit 510. Three threaded bosses 534 are formed on thebottom of manifold assembly 40 to receive fasteners 610 (FIG. 20) whichattach flow monitor assembly 16 to manifold 40.

Geometrically, manifold assembly 40 generally has a lower planar portion536, a diagonal riser portion 540 and an upper planar portion 542. A UVsubsystem circular retaining wall 538 on upper planar portion 542 helpscenter and retain tank assembly 300 when UV tank 302 is mounted atopmanifold assembly 40. As filter subsystem 30 is greater in height thanUV subsystem 32, utilizing this bi-planar manifold design allows for theexistence of a spatial envelope 54 formed beneath upper planar portion542 and above flow monitor assembly 16 in which water pipe assembly 34resides. This biplanar manifiold design allows WTS unit 10 to be compactin size, which is important on countertops of limited size. Also, asmanifold assembly 40 is generally integral after being sonically weldedtogether, no loose hoses are utilized in connecting subcomponents of WTSunit 10. Thus, an ordinary WTS unit 10 user can relatively easilyreplace subcomponents without changing any hoses. Manifold assembly 40is threadedly secured by two bosses 544 to boss 83 on the bottom offilter housing 70 and at two mounting ears 546 to support plate 26.

Referring to FIGS. 19 E-F, heat dissipating support plate 26 has anarcuate portion 560 and a planar portion 562. Arcuate portion 560 isadapted to be juxtaposed with tank assembly 300 (FIG. 4). Radiallyextending fins 564 on support plate 26 provide a large surface area todissipate heat into the atmosphere. Heat generated by UV lamp assembly290 is conducted to sleeve or tank 302 and then to arcuate portion 560.Arcuate portion 560 passes the heat to fins 564 which readily give awayheat to the atmosphere. Arcuate portion 560 and tank assembly 300 arejuxtaposed for approximately 180°. It is envisioned that this area ofcontact could extend from between 45°-270°, depending on the amount ofheat dissipation desired.

As shown in FIG. 19F, support plate 26 has a pair of apertures 568 forreceiving threaded fasteners 570 to attach manifold 40. Support plate 26also has a pair of openings 572 for receiving fasteners that also attachto a pair of threaded bosses 74 located on back of filter housing 70(see FIG. 3) and also two vertically spaced corresponding openings inmounting bracket 44. A PC board-receiving slot 574 is formed in planarportion 562 to retain the vertical edges of PC board 42. Cap assembly290 also is threadedly fastened by fasteners 292 to support plate 26 attwo threaded openings 294 (FIG. 11). Finally, flanges 396 of capassembly 290 (FIG. 16) are also retained by slot 574. Consequently,support plate 26 concurrently provides important structural support andheat dissipation capabilities to WTS unit 10.

Flow monitor assembly 16 is displayed in FIGS. 3, 4, and 20. Asdescribed previously, flow monitor assembly 16 serves as the base forWTS unit 10. Flow monitor assembly 16 includes a bottom housing 602, abottom housing cover 604, a battery door 606, and a battery pack 608,fasteners 610, water pipe assembly 34 and monitor 22. Water pipeassembly 34 and monitor 22 are retained within bottom housing 602. Awater pipe receiving opening 612 and retaining bands 614 are formed inbottom housing 602 to hold water pipe assembly 34. Similarly, foursupport ribs 616 on the top side of bottom housing cover 604 provideunderneath support to monitor 22. Three fasteners 610 pass through threeapertured bosses 620 in bottom housing cover 604 and are used to secureflow monitor assembly 16 to threaded bosses 534 of manifold assembly 40.Similar four other fasteners 610 passes through bosses 621 in bottomhousing cover 604 to attach directly to threaded bosses (not shown) onthe underside of bottom housing 602.

Water pipe assembly 34 has an inlet 624 and an outlet 626. Water flowingthrough water pipe assembly 34 turns a turbine which electronicallysends water flow information to monitor 22. Inlet 624 receives waterfrom manifold pipe nipple 526 and returns the water to nipple 530 ofmanifold outlet conduit 510 for discharge from WTS unit 10.

Monitor 22 is in electronic communication with UV lamp assembly 280,water pipe assembly 34 and battery pack 608. Status informationregarding WTS unit 10 is displayed by monitor 22. An overlay label 618covers monitor 22. Because of the unique bi-planar design of manifoldassembly 40, envelope 54 is created beneath upper planar portion 542 ofmanifold assembly 40. Envelope 54 is best displayed in FIG. 4.

Front and rear outer housings 12 and 14 form a clam shell housing whichclamps about the other major subcomponents of WTS unit 10. Referring toFIG. 3, apertured bosses 650 on the left rear side of rear outer housing14 allows fasteners (not shown) to attach to corresponding bosses 652 infront outer housing 12. Looking to FIG. 2, apertured bosses 654 allowfasteners to be secured to threaded bosses 85 (FIG. 7B) formed on filterhousing 70.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible toalteration and that certain other details described herein can varyconsiderably without departing from the basic principles of theinvention.

1. A replaceable UV bulb assembly for a UV subassembly of a point-of-use water treatment system, the system in fluid communication with awater supply comprising: a connector adapted to mechanically mount tothe UV subassembly, said connector having an internal surface that facesan interior of the UV subassembly and an external surface that isvisible from an exterior of the UV bulb assembly when said replaceableUV bulb assembly is mechanically mounted to the UV subassembly, theconnector defining an aperture having a cross section; a UV bulb affixedto said connector, said bulb contained within the UV subassembly whensaid connector is mounted to the UV subassembly; and a light pipemounted in the aperture so that the light pipe fills the entire crosssection, said light pipe extending from said internal surface to saidexternal surface, wherein said connector, said UV bulb, and said lightpipe form an integrated unit that is removable and replaceable relativeto the UV subassembly while the point-of-use water system remains infull fluid communication with the water supply.
 2. A replaceable UV bulbassembly for a UV subassembly of a point-of-use water treatment system,the system in fluid communication with a water supply comprising: aconnector adapted to mechanically mount to the UV subassembly, saidconnector having an internal surface that faces an interior of the UVsubassembly and an external surface that is visible from an exterior ofthe UV bulb assembly when said replaceable bulb assembly is mechanicallymounted to the UV subassembly; a UV bulb affixed to said connector, saidbulb contained within the UV subassembly when said connector is mountedto the UV subassembly; a light pipe mounted to said connector, saidlight pipe extending from said internal surface to said externalsurface, wherein said connector, said UV bulb, and said light pipe forman integrated unit that is removable and replaceable relative to the UVsubassembly while the point-of-use water treatment system remains infull fluid communication with the water supply; and wherein saidconnector includes a handle and defines a light pipe opening, said lightpipe fitted within said light pipe opening.
 3. The UV bulb assembly ofclaim 2 wherein said light pipe is manufactured from a lighttransmissive material.
 4. The UV bulb assembly of claim 3 wherein thewater treatment system includes a bulb cover covering the UVsubassembly, the bulb defining an aperture, said light pipe adapted toextend from said connector through the aperture in the bulb cover,whereby said light pipe is visible from an exterior when the bulb coveris installed on the water treatment system.
 5. A point-of-use watertreatment system comprising: a housing; a UV subassembly mounted withinsaid housing, said UV subassembly including a UV tank defining a UV bulbchamber; a replaceable UV bulb cartridge mounted to said UV subassembly,said UV bulb cartridge being removable and replaceable as a singleintegrated unit relative to said UV subassembly, said UV bulb cartridgeincluding a connector mechanically mounted to said UV tank and a bulbprojecting into said UV bulb chamber, said UV bulb cartridge including abulb joined with the connector, and a gasket sealingly engaging the bulband the connector, the UV bulb cartridge further including an internalsurface facing the interior of said UV bulb chamber, an external surfacefacing the exterior of said water treatment system, and a light pipemounted to said UV bulb cartridge and extending between said internalsurface and said external surface, whereby said light pipe is visiblefrom an exterior of the water treatment system.
 6. The water treatmentsystem of claim 5 wherein said housing includes a bulb cover forenclosing said UV subassembly within said housing, said bulb coverdefining an aperture, said light pipe extending through said aperture,whereby said light pipe is visible from an exterior of the watertreatment system when said bulb cover is installed on said housing. 7.The water treatment system of claim 6 wherein said connector defines alight pipe opening, said light pipe press-fitted within said light pipeopening.
 8. The water treatment system of claim 7 wherein said lightpipe is manufactured from a light transmissive material.
 9. The watertreatment system of claim 8 wherein said connector includes an axis,said light pipe being disposed coaxially within said connector.
 10. Alamp for a point-of-use water treatment system comprising: a connectoradapted to secure the lamp to the water treatment system; a bulb mountedto and extending from the connector; a gasket interposed between thebulb and the connector, the gasket sealing against the a lamp exteriorportion and a lamp interior portion, said lamp interior portion beingconcealed from view when the lamp is mounted in the water treatmentsystem; and a light pipe disposed in said connector and providingilluminating communication between said interior portion and saidexterior portion, wherein said connector, said bulb, and said light pipeform an integrated unit that is removable and replaceable as a singlecartridge.
 11. The lamp of claim 10 wherein the light pipe is mountedadjacent said bulb so that when said bulb is activated, the light pipetransmits radiation from the bulb through the base to the exteriorportion.
 12. The lamp of claim 10 wherein the base mounts to a tankassembly to form a closed pressure vessel.
 13. The lamp of claim 10wherein the bulb is a UV bulb.
 14. The lamp of claim 10 wherein the baseincludes an electrical connector element.